OOIDA member’s son competes on ‘The Voice’

Quizz Swanigan boasts a singing voice that draws comparisons to a young Michael Jackson. The 13-year-old, who is the son of OOIDA Member Courtney Swanigan, is putting that talent on display as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice.

Picked by “Voice Coach” Alicia Keys on a previous episode, Quizz Swanigan continues the competition in episodes to air at 7 p.m. CDT on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Keys chose Quizz after hearing him sing a rendition of the Jackson 5’s “Who’s Loving You.” Viewers can begin voting for participants on April 17.

Quizz’s talent isn’t a surprise to his parents, Courtney and Natalya, who served as a choir director at their church. Quizz started singing in the church when he was 4 years old.

“We started to really notice his talent when he was about 6 years old,” Courtney said. “He started performing in local talent shows against teenagers and adults. His stage presence really separated him from the other acts.”

Courtney and Natalya believed in Quizz’s talent so much that they left their jobs and home in Arkansas about three years ago and moved to California. Courtney quit his job as a business analyst at Hewlett-Packard. He now operates Ready Roar Trucking.

“It allows me to generate some income while being able to support my son,” Courtney said.

Quizz has flourished as a singer and actor since the move. He appeared on The Player starring Wesley Snipes in 2015, as well as Fuller House and as a voice on Nickelodeon’s Blaze and the Monster Machines in 2016.

Courtney said Quizz has learned a lot from Alicia Keys, the Grammy Award-winning singer.

“She’s a really down-to-earth person,” Courtney said. “She’s also very nurturing, which is important since he’s still young. They both play the piano. She was definitely a perfect fit as his coach.”

Mark Schremmer, staff writer, joined Land Line in 2015. An award-winning journalist and former assistant news editor at The Topeka Capital-Journal, he brings fresh ideas, solid reporting skills, and more than 15 years of journalism experience to our staff. Mark is a graduate of Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan.

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